Retired Sydney Priest Charged with Child Sex Offences in Police Sting

Guy Norman Hartcher, 77, was arrested after allegedly grooming a 14-year-old boy online and attempting to meet him in person.

Guy Norman Hartcher, a 77-year-old retired priest, was arrested in Pendle Hill, Sydney, on Monday by NSW Police detectives.
The arrest followed an investigation under Strike Force Trawler, which was launched after Facebook flagged an account allegedly sharing child abuse material overseas.
Police officers posed as a 14-year-old boy online, during which Hartcher allegedly shared explicit photographs and discussed sexual acts he intended to commit.
Hartcher was charged with procuring a person under 16 for sex and sending indecent material to a minor and was denied bail before his court appearance today at Parramatta Local Court.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into Hartcher’s seized electronic devices, suspecting similar prior offenses, and have urged parents to monitor their children's online interactions.